If you’re wondering about workers’ compensation and the average settlement for spinal fusion surgery, workers’ comp payouts vary. The National Council of Compensation Insurance reported that the average workers’ compensation settlements in the U.S. were valued at $37,000 and $33,000 for lower and upper back injuries, respectively. However, injuries requiring spinal fusion and spinal fusion surgery can significantly increase the potential value of a back injury claim.
Moreover, a civil settlement may be much less or significantly more depending on the circumstances of your accident. It is also important to remember that case values differ depending on an injury’s severity and surrounding conditions.
If you’ve suffered a spinal fusion injury, the best thing to do is consult an experienced lawyer who can review your claim and the events leading up to it and help you determine its potential worth.
What Is the Average Settlement for Spinal Fusion Surgery Workers’ Comp Gives?
Data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates back injury claims cost an average of $40,000 to $80,000, including medical bills, wage loss benefits, and more. However, there is no reliable workers’ comp average for spinal fusion surgery. Instead, compensation will depend on factors such as your type of spinal fusion surgery, your injury’s severity, and your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance.
For example, the average workers’ comp settlement for cervical fusion will differ from an L4-L5-S1 workers’ comp settlement, and 3-level lumbar fusion settlement workers’ compensation will vary from 2-level lumbar fusion settlement workers’ compensation because 3-level spinal injury treatment is more invasive and severe.
Of note is that spinal fusion surgery of any kind typically doubles or triples a back injury case’s value because surgery is riskier, results in higher expenses, and because longer and more extensive treatments cost more money.
For this reason, you can expect a workers’ compensation settlement involving spinal surgery to be significantly higher than a settlement for a back injury that does not require surgery.
What Factors Influence the Value of Workers’ Compensation Claims for a Spinal Fusion Injury?
Spinal fusion injury payouts in a workers’ compensation claim depend on various situational factors. Moreover, these factors can cause damages to differ from any typical settlement amounts. The following are several important things to keep in mind that may affect your claim’s results:
- Medical expenses—your compensation should adequately cover past and future medical costs related to your injury;
- Lost wages—if your back injury prevents you from working for an extended period or permanently, your compensation should include lost income;
- Back injury nature—for instance, a Level-1 injury that only requires anti-inflammatory medicine and physical therapy is fundamentally different from a Level-3 injury that requires spinal fusion surgery;
- Back injury severity—more severe injuries that substantially hamper your ability to work and lead to a diminished quality of life generally result in higher settlements;
- Duration of the injury—if your injury lasts longer, you could receive a larger settlement because of its ongoing impact on your work and daily life; and
- Case strength—if you can provide compelling evidence linking your injuries directly to your job, you are more likely to receive a better offer from an insurance company.
At Mehta & McConnell, our skilled attorneys understand spinal injuries and the toll they take on employees. With your well-being in mind, we will work tirelessly to gather the necessary evidence to prove the extent and severity of your injuries. You can trust us to fight for your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
How Much Money Can You Get from a Spinal Fusion Surgery Lawsuit Settlement?
Doctors frequently use spinal fusion surgery, also known as lumbar fusion, to address chronic back pain stemming from injuries. During spinal fusion surgery, the surgeon joins two or more vertebrae in the spine, effectively merging them into a single bone. The main aim of spinal fusion is to reduce the motion between adjacent vertebrae, often the primary cause of chronic discomfort.
Fusing these spinal bones helps minimize movement and, in turn, diminishes the source of ongoing pain. Additionally, spinal fusion safeguards against the stretching and compression of nearby ligaments and nerves, promoting pain relief and improved spinal stability. However, it can be a tricky, not to mention expensive, surgery.
The good news is, as with workers’ comp claims, surgery significantly increases a civil suit’s injury settlement value. Thus, a lumbar fusion surgery settlement is likely to be much higher than a settlement for a back injury that doesn’t require surgery. Just keep in mind that in a civil case, the settlement value of the spinal fusion tort is usually limited to the defendant’s applicable insurance coverage limit.
Mehta & McConnell, PLLC Will Fight for You
If you want to learn more about a back injury settlement with surgery, workers’ comp and personal injury attorneys at Mehta & McConnell are here to talk to you. As a highly reputable law firm specializing in injury rights and experienced in workers’ compensation cases, we can offer you the guidance and support necessary to navigate the sometimes complicated road to seeking compensation.
Our advocates take pride in delivering professional, cost-effective services and offering personalized attention to each client. With a collective legal experience of over 30 years in managing injury cases, we are well-equipped to assist you in crafting a fair and comprehensive strategy that addresses your challenges.
Our unwavering commitment is to fight diligently on your behalf, ensuring you receive the support and compensation you rightfully deserve. Get in touch with us to schedule a free consultation and let our compassionate advocates fight on your behalf for a fair settlement.
Viral Mehta
Viral Mehta is the managing attorney of Mehta & McConnell Injury Lawyers, a Charlotte, North Carolina Workers’ Compensation law firm. He enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, sports, and reading.
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